Panzer Dragoon (Video Game Score)

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

Hell, I've explored the European and the American composers, why not step into the East sector for a change, to explore a score written for a game I played several years ago. I hardly made it to the fifth round or something but then I already picked up what this game possessed of musical spirit. Without exaggeration, the first tracks are impressive. The composer of this score Yoshitaka Azuma (without sounding ridiculous but I presume this is a man) hasn't been credited with much else, even though the man's career must have spanned upon this sole project. Nonetheless, what is Panzer Dragoon made off? Well, its the typical action / adventure music, completed with synthesizers and a techno beat so that the game hardly loses its focus on the players. During the game this is no problem since it must really bring the thrill alive. On the other hand, what this score has of few suites is the saving grace of this score, a wonderful 15 minutes gracefully open this score, and even with the rest of the action synthesized beat that is following, you will not get past the stunning sound of the first three tracks. Panzer Dragoon overall becomes of this a not too stimulating listening experience, but definitely a keeper since it covers more than its fair share of moments.

Perhaps more than the tracks, it is the occasional orchestral form that saves this score from the doomed isolation of score fans. You receive roughly 12 minutes of orchestral music that always works, and perhaps even roughly 10 minutes of synthesized music that even makes your day. In other words, it is a keeper for those moments. We start with the highlight and that is 'Main Title'. This track receives both a synthesized version (shorter and also cheap sounding) but even an orchestral version and this is what they call "game score magic". Its a wonderful track, full of breeze like you are flying through the clouds and you see nothing but beauty. More it is wondrous, calm but very beautiful and a relaxing track to start this game from the otherwise rocking nature of the rest. The second track could have been equally good, if it was orchestral which sadly its not. 'Opening Theme' is the track that states the story of the game, a young soldier finds a dragon in a cave and takes control of its mighty aerial domination to start battling the evil monsters. This discovery of the dragon is scored with the best theme of the game, a fantastical soaring theme (supported through choir) that would have knocked your socks off in orchestral form. Its truly brilliant and even its synthesized version is very good, but of course we would have wanted it in flying color. And to end the praising, the calm but still adventurous 'Flight' is equally good.

Sadly, from track 4 to exactly 14 this release brings the one action / adventure piece after the other, supported through very sparse choir (like in 'Worms') but mostly accentuated through a rocking thrilling beat that starts to get on your nerves from the 5th minute. It all fits the game splendidly since it basically does everything it needs to do, give it beat, power and pace. But on disc and placed right after the other, it doesn't really work for the listening experience. Luckily after those sometimes truly dreadful midi tones (try 6 and 14 for once will ya) the score ends at least much better. A short main theme performance in 'Parting' and two synthesized but accessible versions of 'Flight' and 'Staff Roll' end the score at least more on a positive note. Basically, its what this score contains too less off that destroys the feeling of what it contains the most off. This action music is there because it all works in the game, but the orchestral and even synthesized suites at times is very good not to like. Panzer Dragoon perhaps roughly has 20 minutes of very interesting video game music, 10 of that will set your hair on fire. The rest is simply this expected side, nothing you can do about it and will without doubt irritate the most of us. So, I urge you to see the positive of this instead of the negative. You have several tracks that blow most of the game music out of the water.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Title (Orchestra Complete Version) (5.14) Excellent Track

2. Opening Theme (6.28)

3. Flight (Orchestra) (3.48)

4. Sudden Change (1.18)

5. Worms (4.04)

6. Confrontation (1.41)

7. Empire (3.55)

8. Departed Spirit (3.30)

9. Creature Revived (1.21)

10. Raid (3.32)

11. Flagship (1.07)

12. The Imperial District Goes Up In Flames (3.51)

13. Tower (Complete Version) (1.07)

14. Final Decision (1.37)

15. Game Over (0.18)

16. Parting (1.03)

17. Staff Roll (Orchestra) (2.47)

18. Main Title (Synthesizer Version) (3.09)

19. Flight (Synthesizer Version) (3.37)

20. Staff Roll (Synthesizer Version) (2.42)

Total Length: 56.21

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